Primary battery.



Patented Aug. 27, I90I.

VU .m DumT AT PA B S .m AA 0M R DI hw m 6 0. N

(Application legi June 9, 1900.)

(No Model.)

l llamen Srnrns OTTO A. SPAHR, OF MLLERSBURG, OHIO.

PRIMARY BATTERY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters latent No. 681,660, dated August27, 1901.

Application filed June 9, 1900. Serial No. 19,749. (No model.)

mary Battery, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electric batteries in general, and moreparticularly to primary batteries; and it has specific reference to theGrenet type, wherein the elements are exposed to the direct action ofthe electrolyte in contradistinction to the type of battery whereinthere is an interposed porous partition between the'elennents.

The object of the invention is primarily to provide a battery of theabove-named type wherein polarization of the negative plate or plateswill be prevented to maintain a constant potential of thebattery,\vl1ether the battery consists of a single cell or a pluralityof cells, a further object being to permit the connection of a number ofcells in series and at the same time to maintain a constant and equalefficiency of the electrolyte, so that the electromotive force of thecompound battery will have a value equal to the multiple of the valuesof all of the individual cells.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a constructionwherein amalgamation of the zinc plate will be efficiently performedwithout waste by oxidation of free mercury and to provide for supplyinga depolarizing agent to the electrolyte as required.

Further objects of the invention are to form a battery in which themaximum wasting of the zinc will be at the lower edge thereof and inwhich the resultant salts will be collected at a point whereshort-circuiting of the battery will be prevented and where they may bedrawn olf readily; also, to provide a simple and eflicient means forholding the members of the battery together and for insulating one cellfrom another when a number are combined.

An additional object of the invention is to provide means for makingefficient connections with the several plates of the battery, otherobjects and 4advantages of the invention being evident from thefollowing specitication. f

In thc drawings forming a portion of this specification and in whichlike numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views,Figure 1 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation and showinga numberof cells connected in series, the apparatus for supplying airand electrolyte thereto being also shown. Fig. 2 is a central verticalsection of the battery with the zinc plate and portions of other partsin elevation. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 and showing a secondform of the battery. Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the lower portionof the battery, taken at right angles to the section of Fig. 2. Fig. 5is a vertical section of the upper portion of the battery shown inFig. 1. Fig. 6 is a detail elevation showing the form and arrangement ofa turn-button. Fig. 7 is an elevation showing the yoke by means of whichconnection is made with the carbon plates.

Referring now to the drawings, the battery of the present inventionconsists of a central ring 10, of vuloanite or other suitable materialwhich is non-conducting, whether elementary or composite, and upon theinner periphery of which is formeda flange 11, re-

sulting in the formation of shoulders 12 and 13, against which aredisposed the negative plates 14 of the battery, these negative platesbeing preferably of carbon of sufficient porosity to permit passage ofhydrogen gas therethrough, although it will be understood from thefollowing description that a number of the features of t-he battery maybe developed S 5 without necessitating the use of carbon. Carbon is,however, used in the present instance. These carbon plates are heldagainst rubber or other liquid-holding gaskets 15, which are disposedagainst the shoulders 12 and 13 prior to the application of the plates.In order to hold the carbon plates in place and, furthermore, to preventmutual contact of the adjacent plates when a number of cells areconnected in close relation, insulating turn-buttons 16 are provided.The turn-buttons are disposed at opposite sides of the battery and eachconsists of a segmental plate 17, having an inclosure 18 of insulatingmaterial, and through the button is formed an axial perforation 19, theouter end of which is countersunken, as shown. Perforations are formedlongitudinally through the ring 10, as shown at 20, and pivot-bolts 2lare passed through IOO these perforations 2O and the perforations ofcorresponding buttons, the head of each bolt lying in the countersink ofa button at one side of the battery, while the clamping-nut 22 lieswithin the countersink of the corresponding button at the opposite sideof the battery, both ends of the bolt and the outer surface of the nutlying below the outer surfaces of the turn-buttons, so that one cell ofbattery may be brought to lie close to a second cell and will be heldinsulated therefrom and separated by an interspace suiicient to permit afree circulation of air. It will be noted that there is thus formed ashort cylindrical casing or battery-jar, the ends of which are formed bythe negative elements of the battery.

The positive element 25 of the battery is in the form of a disk having acomparatively small segment cut from its lower edge, this element 25being of zinc and of such dimensions that it may fit within theinclosure of the flange 11 and with its side faces separated from theinner faces of the carbon plates or disks by interspaces sufficient topermit free circulation of the electrolyte and to prevent establishmentof a short circuit. A supporting-stem 26 is cast at the uppermost pointof the plate and extends inwardly beyond the periphery thereof, and inthis stem is cast a screw or bolt 27, with which is engaged a bindingnut28 for attachment of circuit-wires, the nut acting to clamp the wire orwires firmly against the upper end of the stem in the wellknown manner.This stem projects outwardly of the ring 10 through a radial perforationin the upper side thereof, as shown. The zinc plate or element isprevented from lateral movement and consequent contact With the carbonplates by means of insulating-pins 30, which are engaged withperforations in the flange ll and which lie closely against the faces ofthe zinc plates. With the form of Zinc plate shown it will be seen thatthere results au enlarged chamber 3l between its lower straight edge andthe adjacent surface of the flange ll ofthe ring 10, and to furtherenlarge this chamber a channel 32 is cut into the flange 1l, the ends ofthis channel terminating adjacent to the lower edge of the Zinc plate.The chamber in question is formed to receive the salts resulting fromthe chemical action of the electrolyte upon the Zine plate, and to drawoff these salts from time to time an outlet-pipe 34 is provided, whichcommunicates with the lowermost point of the channel 32 and has astop-cock 35 for opening and closing it. Additional channels or pockets36 and 37 are formed in the inner face of the flange 1l, and in thesepockets are disposed amalgamating and depolarizing compounds in the formof salts. The amalgamating compound is indicated at 38 in the pocket 36and consists of bisultiid of mercury in proper combination, which isheld in place by a porous plate 39, through which is passed a wire orstrip 40 of eneeo metal, which dips at one end into the amalgamatingmaterial and at the opposite end rests against the zinc plate, theresult being that the amalgamation of the zinc plate is maintained. Thedepolarizing agent (indicated at 41 in the pocket 37) isalso held inplace by means of a porous plate 42, these porous plates being disposedin the countersunken ends of the pockets, as shown. The porosity ofthese retaining-plates permits action'of the electrolyte upon the saltsin the pockets and at the same time prevents their too-rapiddisintegration.

In the battery as described and shown there is provided only a smallspace for the reception of the electrolyte, and to compensate for thetendency to rapid deterioration of so small a bulk of electrolyte it isnecessary to intermittently supply fresh electrolyte and permit waste ofthe excess quantity. This fresh supply of electrolyte should so enterthe battery as to supply both sides of the positive plate in the presentconstruction with the same efficiency of electrolyte, and for thisreason it is introduced at the bottom of the battery, while the wastepasses off in the form of an overflow at a point adjacent the top of thebattery. In addition to supplying fresh electrolyte I also wish tosupply to the active faces of the carbon plates oxygen to preventpolarization, and in practice both the fresh electrolyte and air whichforms the oxidizing agent are introduced through the same opening at thebottom or near the bottom of the battery and below the line of the loweredge of the Zinc plate. This supply-opening is shown at 43, and leadingtherefrom is a nipple 44, with which is connected a preferably-'flexibletube 45 of small interior diameter and having a funnel 46 at its up; perend. In practice the funnel end of the tube 45 is supported at a pointabove the level of the electrolyte in the battery, which is determinedby the position of the overflow or waste opening 47, and the funnel isheld below the mouth of a discharge-pipe 43, leading from` a storagetank or reservoir 49, the discharge-pipe having a stop-cock 50 toregulate the iiow of the electrolyte from the tank or reservoir, so thatit will descend drop by drop into the flared end of the funnel. As theelectrolyte drops into the funnel it compresses the air above the levelof the electrolyte in the tube 45, and the weight of the liquid thuscontributed in drops carries this compressed air in the form of bubblesdownwardly and discharges it into the bottom of the battery, the opening43 being disposed in the plane of the zinc plate, so that theelectrolyte contributed, as also the air, will divide and pass up bothsides of the zinc plate, supplying fresh electrolyte to all portions ofthe battery and bringing the air-bubbles into contact with both carbonplates. The overflow or waste opening 50 is at a point near the upperedge of the zinc plate and is formed radially of the ring l0 and in theplane IOO IIO

of the zinc plate, a recess 5l being cut in the adjacent edge of thezinc plate to permit free overflow of the electrolyte. Anipple 52 leadsfrom the overflow-opening, and connected with this nipple is awaste-pipe 53, which is led to any suitable point of discharge. Withthis construction it will be seen that a circulation of the electrolyteis maintained, the ef- Aficiency of the electrolyte is maintained, p0-larization is prevented,and proper amalgamation of the Zinc plate ismaintained, thus giving a battery of high potential and high eiiiciency.

When a number of cells of battery are to be connected to form a compoundbattery,the cylindrical cells are placed end to end and separated bytheir insulating turn-buttons, the several cells being supported in asuitable rack and having their electrolyte-supply pipes preferablyleading from a common tank o r reservoir, so that the efficiency of theelectrolyte in each cell will be at all times approximately equal tothat of every other cell, although of course the electrolytes for theseveral cells may be supplied from different tanks.

In Fig. 3 of the drawings there is shown a modification in which thesupply-pipe for the electrolyte and air is introduced through the zincplate, the stem 26, which has a greater thickness than the plate, beingcontinued to the lower edge of the plate and being formed tubular toreceive a non-corrosive bushing 55, which may be a hard-rubber tubehaving a funnel at its upper end to receive the electrolyte. In thisform of the invention also the overflow-pipe or waste-pipe 53 isdisposed in a groove 56 in the inner face of the iiange ll of the ringlO, the lower end of the tube being passed outwardly through an openingin the ring l0, while the upper end thereof is turned inwardly toreceive the waste electrolyte. This arrangement of the waste-pipenecessitates the formation of both pockets 46 and et7in the same side ofthe ring l0,as shown.

In practice various other modifications of the speciiic constructionsshown may be made and any suitable materials and proportions may be usedfor the various parts without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

In order to make wire connections with the two carbon plates, a yoke 60is disposed to straddle the ring lO and lie with its flat ends againstthe outer faces of the plates, said yoke being held in place by theresiliency of its metal. A binding-post in the form of a stem 6l isformed upon or secured to the yoke and is threaded to receive abindingnut G3 to hold the circuit-wires to the yoke.

Vith the construction shown it will be seen that creeping of the saltsfrom the inclosure of the battery is prevented, the stem of the Zincplate having a washer G5 at its lower portion, which effectively closesthe opening in the ring l0 through which the stem passes, and the stemand adjacent portions of the ring may have a coating of paraffin.Furthermore, creeping of salts up the Iiuidinlet tube is prevented byreason of the small diameter of the tube and the fact that the enteringduid keeps it clean.

What is claimed is- 1. An electric battery comprising plates of likepotential a third plate of different potential disposed between thefirst-named plates, a supply-pipe leading to a point below and in theplane of the third plate to discharge against the lower edge of theplate, and means constructed and arranged to supply alternate charges ofgas and electrolyte through said pipe.

2. An electric battery comprising plates of different potentials andhaving an inlet-openingbelow and in the plane of one of the plates', andmeans constructed and arranged to supply alternate charges of gas andelectrolyte through said inletopening, whereby they may divide and riseat both sides thereof.

3. An electric battery comprising spaced negative plates and aninterposed positive plate and having an inlet-opening below and in theplane of the positive plate, and means constructed and arranged tosupply alternate charges of gas and electrolyte through said opening,whereby they may divide and rise in contact with both faces of thepositive plate.

4. The combination with a battery comprising spaced negative plates andan interposed positive plate, an electrolyte covering portions of theplates, and a tube opening into the battery at a point below and in theplane of the positive plate, said tube extending to a point above thelevel of the electrolyte, of means constructed and arranged to supplyalternate bodies of air and electrolyte through said tube.

5. The combination with a battery comprising spaced negative plates andan interposed positive plate, an electrolyte covering portions of theplates, and a tube communicating with the battery at a point below andin the plane of the positive plate, said tube extending above the levelof the electrolyte, of means constructed and arranged to dropelectrolyteinto the tube to compress the air therein and force it intothe battery with the electrolyte.

6. The combination with aplurality of cells of battery, each comprisingspaced plates of one potential and an interposed plate of a differentpotential, and a separate supplytube connected with each cell at a pointbelow and in the plane of the interposed plate of its respective cell,of means constructed and arranged to drop electrolyte into the tubes,and a separate overflow for each cell.

7. A battery comprising electrodes of different potentials, one of saidelectrodes being a plate having a longitudinal passage therethroughbetween its active faces to convey iuids from one end to the otherthereof, said plate having a tubular extension forming a IOOcontinuation of the bore of the plate and adapted to receive and directgas and liquid to the bore of the plate to pass therethrough.

8. A battery comprising spaced plates of one potential and an interposedplate f a diiii'erent potential, the interposed plate having alongitudinal passage extending' th rough it, means for supplying fluidsthrough the passage to discharge below and in the plane of theinterposed plate, and an overflow for the battery. l

' 9. Abattery comprising electrodes of different potentials, one of saidelectrodes being a plate having a longitudinal passage extending throughit, a bushing engaged with the inner surface of the passage, saidbushing extending exteriorly of the plate and having external threads,and a clamping-nut upon the bushing.

10. A battery comprising a circular frame, elements fixed in the ends ofthe frame, an element disposed between the first-named elements, anarc-shaped recess in the inner face ofl the frame below the interposedelement, and a draw-oif pipe communicating with the recess.

ll. A battery comprising a frame, elements disposed in the ends of theframe to form a containing vessel, an insulating turn-button at each endof the frame and disposed forengagement with the plates to hold them inthe frame, and a common pivot for the turn'- buttons.

12. A battery comprising a plurality of cells, each including a framehaving elements disposed in its ends to form a containing vessel, andinsulating turn-buttons pivoted upon the frame and adapted for movementinto and out of engagement with the plates, said buttons being adaptedto lie against the plates of the adjacent cells to hold said cellsspaced.

13. The combination with a frame having elements disposed in its ends toform a con` taining vessel, of a spring-metal yoke disposed to straddlethe frame and lie With its ends against the plates, and a binding-postcarried by the yoke.

14E. The combination with a frame having elements disposed in its endsto form a containing vessel, of a metal yoke disposed to straddle theframe and lie with its ends against the plates, and a binding-postcarried by the yoke.

In 4testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of ftwo witnesses.

OTTO A. SPAHR.

Witnesses:

C. M. S'WINGLE, GEO. W. OHANALEE.

